Patient support apparatus

ABSTRACT

A patient support consisting of a frame  22  supporting a translucent support surface  24  elevated above the frame  22  by longitudinal channels  23.  The channels  23  support an x-ray cassette tray  36  for sliding movement along the length of the frame  22.  The x-ray cassette trays  36  can be loaded onto the channels  23  from either or both the head  30  and foot  32  ends of the frame  22.  All of the patient support surface can be covered by the x-ray cassettes. In use, the x-ray cassette tray  36  is pulled out from the channels  23  and loaded with an x-ray cassette  38.  The handle  39  is pulled out from within the tray  36  and locked into position against latch  38.  The tray  36  is then slid back onto the channels  23  and the position of the cassette  38  within the tray  36  is indicated by the position of the indicator  66  visible along the side of the frame  22.

[0001] The present invention relates to a patient support apparatus, andmore particularly, to a patient support apparatus having an x-raycassette support.

[0002] It is known to have stretchers or beds in hospitals used inemergency room settings where they are used to serve a variety offunctions. For example, the stretcher or bed may serve as a bed whilst apatient is awaiting treatment, and may also be used to transport thepatient. Frequently, the stretcher or bed also serves as an examinationtable, surgery table and an x-ray table for taking x-rays of patientsbefore, during, or after surgical operations.

[0003] Typical stretchers or beds that also serve as x-ray tables havean x-ray cassette support which is located beneath an x-ray transparenthorizontal bed surface.

[0004] It is known that such beds or stretchers need accessories toposition the x-ray cassette under the bed surface. In order to take thex-rays, a positioning rod with a hook at its end, is used to engage ahandle of the x-ray cassette tray to position the tray under the bedsurface. Graduations are provided on the rod so that the x-ray cassettetray can be located in the same position for a succession ofphotographs.

[0005] The frame supporting the stretcher or bed surface has a graduatedscale along the length of at least one side. The units of the graduatedscale of the rod correspond to the units of the graduated scale of theframe. The rod graduated scale can increase numerically from the handleend to the engaging means end or from the engaging means end to thehandle end.

[0006] In use, the technician looks at the frame scale from the side ofthe apparatus, and determines the frame scale number that is adjacentthe body section to be x-rayed. The technician then walks to the footend of the frame, engages the rod with the x-ray cassette tray andpushes the rod until the rod scale number corresponding with the desiredframe scale number appears in line with the end of the frame. In thisway, the apparatus provides for accurate positioning of the x-raycassette tray.

[0007] However, the process of determining the frame scale and eachcorresponding rod graduation for a particular position of x-ray is timeconsuming and tedious.

[0008] The present invention seeks to provide a patient supportapparatus with an improved x-ray tray positioning means, overcoming thedisadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention provides a patient supportapparatus having a frame supporting a surface for a patient to lie on,the frame comprising means to support at least one x-ray cassette trayalong its length under the patient surface, the x-ray cassette trayhousing an x-ray cassette, the x-ray cassette tray provided with meansfor movement thereof, such that in use, the moving means provides adirect reference to the position of the x-ray cassette within the trayunder the patient surface.

[0010] Preferably, the moving means is a handle with an indicatorcorresponding to the top edge of the x-ray cassette and more preferably,the indicator is visible along the side of the frame under the patientsupport surface. In this way the handle is pushed to position the x-traycassette to the required position, the position of the indicator alongthe side of the frame showing exactly where the x-ray cassette is underthe patient support surface. There is no requirement to match numbersalong the frame and the means for pushing the x-ray tray as with theprior art.

[0011] Preferably, the handle is stored within the tray when not in use.The handle may also be telescoping or rotatably mounted to allow forstorage within the tray when not in use.

[0012] The invention will now be described by example and with referenceto the following drawings in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a patient support surfaceaccording to the invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 shows an x-ray cassette tray in the stored position; and

[0015]FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the patient support frameshowing the cassette trays in the in-use positions at the head and footends of the support.

[0016] Referring generally to FIG. 1, a patient support is shown ashaving a translucent patient support surface 24 supported by a frame 22.

[0017] The frame 22 supports a support surface 24 which is elevatedabove the frame 22 by frame members 23. The support surface 24 and anymattress (not shown) are selected to be x-ray transparent. An x-raycassette tray 36 as shown in FIG. 2, is located at the head 30 and thefoot 32 ends of the frame 22 between the frame 22 and the supportsurface 24.

[0018] The x-ray cassette tray 36 has sides 40, 42, 44 and 46. The side46 has a latch 38 co-operating with a handle 39 for easily transportingand positioning the tray 36. A clamp 52 on the x-ray tray 36 is used forsecuring the x-ray cassette 53 onto the tray 36.

[0019] The frame 22 includes longitudinal support channels 23 to supportthe x-ray cassette tray 36 for sliding movement along the length of theframe 22. The X-ray cassette trays 36 can be loaded onto the channels 23beneath the support surface 24 from either or both the head 30 and foot32 ends of the frame 22. The x-ray cassette trays 36 can then each bemoved along the channels 23 towards the middle of the patient supportsurface. Therefore, almost all of the patient support surface can becovered by the x-ray cassettes.

[0020] A handle 39 for accurately positioning the x-ray cassette tray 36beneath the patient support surface 24 is normally stored within thetray. During use the handle 39 is pulled out to extend beyond thecassette tray 36 and secured in position against a latch 38. In theextended, in use, position an indicator 65 on the handle 39 correspondsdirectly with the top edge of the x-ray cassette within the tray. Thehandle 39 is slidable within the x-ray cassette tray 36, but can also betelescoping or rotatably mounted (not shown).

[0021] In use, the x-ray cassette tray 36 is pulled out from thechannels 23 and loaded with an x-ray cassette 38 which is secured byclamp 52. The handle 39 is pulled out from within the tray 36 and lockedinto position against latch 38. The loaded x-ray cassette tray 36 isthen slid back onto the channels 23 from the head end 30 or foot end 32as desired the position of the cassette 38 within the tray 36 isindicated by the position of the indicator 66 visible along the side ofthe frame 22.

[0022] Therefore, all the physician or technician has to do is to pushthe handle 64 until the indicator 66 corresponds to the patient area tobe x-rayed. The indicator 66 is easily visible on the side of the frame22 and provides a direct reference point to the position of the x-raycassette under the patient support surface 24. The physician and/ortechnician do not have to measure the rod or scale or estimate where thex-ray cassette is. The indicator 66 provides a direct reference to theposition of the x-ray cassette under the patient support surface 24.

[0023] While the forms of apparatus herein described constitutepreferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and thatchanges may be made therein without departing from the scope of theinvention which is defined in the appended claims.

1. A patient support apparatus comprising a frame supporting a surfacefor a patient to lie on, the frame including means to support at leastone x-ray cassette tray along its length under the patient surface, thex-ray cassette tray housing an x-ray cassette, the x-ray cassette trayprovided with means for movement thereof, such that in use, the movingmeans provides a direct reference to the position of the x-ray cassettewithin the tray under the patient surface.
 2. A patient supportapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the moving means is a handlewith an indicator corresponding to the top edge of the x-ray cassette.3. A patient support apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein theindicator is visible along the side of the frame under the patientsupport surface.
 4. A patient support apparatus as claimed in claims 1,2 or 3 wherein the handle is stored within the tray when not in use. 5.A patient support apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the handle istelescoping or rotatably mounted to allow for storage within the traywhen not in use.